CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 331: HONEST ADVICE IS HARD TO ACCEPT

"Mother knows your intentions. As long as you’re doing well in Xidi, that’s enough. Now, your brother seems more restrained than before. If he can find a good wife and have some support from his father-in-law’s family, the burden in my heart will be lifted. Let’s not mention the separation anymore."

Hearing her mother’s words, Yu Wenjie gave a bitter smile.

How could it be that after more than a decade, her mother remained as naive as ever?

In Xidi, she had already found a new lease on life and learned what to fight for herself and when to stand up for her family.

If you only ever compromise, you won’t get a good outcome.

Thus, she was much more resolute and decisive now than she had been before.

And all of this was because of her husband.

Thinking of him, a touch of softness and comfort appeared on Yu Wenjie’s face.

But when she lifted her eyes again, they were filled with an undeniable resolve.

"Mother, wake up. Do you really think that not separating, and with brother bearing the title of legitimate son of the Prince Zhan Mansion, he will secure a good marriage alliance? If that were the case, why is it that even at over twenty years old, no one has come to propose? Are you truly unaware of the issues at hand, or are you pretending to be oblivious?"

These words, the Fourth Prince Consort had told her several times.

Yet the Princess Consort Zhan seemed impervious to them, stubbornly holding on.

Perhaps she thought that even if she separated, she would have nowhere to go and it would damage the reputation of her two children; that’s why she clung so fiercely.

In the end, nothing good came of it.

Being told such things by her daughter, her heart was filled with immense sorrow.

Thinking about it made her tears fall.

Silent, yet distressing to see.

For decades, she had always cried like this.

Enduring, strong, yet slightly foolish without realizing it.

Always thinking she was sacrificing for her children, but in the end, they gained nothing from her forbearance.

Instead, they were restricted in many ways.

They even consciously became more forbearing and compliant, allowing themselves to be carefree, just so she wouldn’t suffer more.

For Yu Wenjie, she didn’t believe at all that her brother was the so-called playboy.

The main reason should have been to prevent their mother from being upset in the inner quarters.

Thinking of this, Yu Wenjie felt that she couldn’t delay any further.

If not, their whole family would be dragged down by the Prince Zhan Mansion, a den of demons.

So, she steeled herself and spoke to the Princess Consort Zhan once more.

"Mother, I know what I’m saying today is shocking to you, but for your future happiness and brother’s prospects, I must speak these harsh truths. Did you know that when I was sent into the palace by Prince Zhan, I wanted to end it all?"

As she spoke, there was a faint sadness in her eyes.

But compared to back then, she had now found sweetness after bitterness.

The Princess Consort Zhan was stunned; she only knew her daughter didn’t want an arranged marriage but never thought she had contemplated death.

She was so shocked that she didn’t know what to say.

All she could do was look at Yu Wenjie with eyes full of sorrow.

Her hands clenched tight, repeating through tears,

"It’s because of my weakness that you siblings have had such a hard life."

This belated guilt did not deter Yu Wenjie from continuing to speak; instead, it made her feel a need to expose the hidden wound.

So she poured out everything.

"Back then, the news was that I was to establish a marriage alliance with the King of Xidi. At seventeen, I was to marry someone older than my grandfather, and naturally, I was unwilling. But after years of living with Mother, I’d learned to swallow insults and hide resentment. Even if I was unwilling, I dared not confront Prince Zhan forcefully."

"Therefore, what I thought of most back then was hanging myself with a white silk ribbon. But the Empress Dowager’s words moved me."

"She said, a person must save themselves. When drowning, one should grab floating wood; when aggrieved, one should retaliate. Otherwise, living a life depending on others’ mercy means you may surely lose the gamble. Women’s lives are tough as they are. If one’s life is entirely dependent on someone else, how can you claim any control over your own life?"

"It was because of those months of guidance that my mind opened up a lot. So when I found out the one seeking marriage was the Second Prince of Xidi, I calmed down. After all, staying in Shengjing City wouldn’t likely lead to a good marriage anyway. Better to bear the title of Princess and gamble in Xidi for different possibilities."

As Yu Wenjie spoke, she recalled the past.

Her demonstrated determination and openness made the Princess Consort Zhan feel inadequate by comparison.

"It was by chance that I gambled and won. Although Sang Deng may never inherit the throne of Xidi, he has allowed our family to live peacefully. There are no other women around him, and both children were raised under his personal care."

"My current life is enviable, so there’s no reason to watch you and brother still suffer in Shengjing City. After we return from this visit of congratulations, Sang Deng will be heading to Ji City. By then, all of Ji City will listen to him. If you and brother come along, you can live more comfortably."

"Even if he doesn’t marry these noble daughters, brother can still strive for his future, can’t he? Must he really wait until he has wasted away here before Mother regrets it?"

Yu Wenjie’s words were strong and hard-hitting.

The Princess Consort Zhan’s mind could hardly keep up with what she was saying.

Everything was crashing down on her, and she had never made such a significant decision from childhood to adulthood.

Separation, and leaving far away.

Before, her life and safety depended on the Prince Zhan Mansion, while now, reliance would transfer to her daughter and son-in-law.

If they were an ordinary family, it might be bearable.

But she feared that she might become a burden to her daughter and cause family discord.

"Does Prince Sang Deng know what you’re saying today?"

The Princess Consort Zhan showed a hint of worry, but Yu Wenjie smiled, presenting a reassuring expression.

"Mother, rest assured, I have already discussed these matters with him. Ji City is closer to the Southwest border of Da Wei, only a hundred miles or so from the border city. The customs aren’t vastly different from Da Wei, and his choice to go to Ji City was also to ensure you and brother would not feel too out of place."

The King of Xidi felt his health was declining significantly and feared a shift in power might be underway.

For the sake of harmony among brothers, while he still had breath, he sent his sons to different regions.

Firstly, to make a path for the Crown Prince’s reign, and secondly, to avoid fratricide and rivers of blood.

Among all the cities, Prince Sang Deng chose the moderately lower Ji City.

He took into account the needs of the Princess Consort Zhan and Yu Wen Jia, but more importantly, he wanted to show the King of Xidi and the Crown Prince of Xidi his determination not to participate in political strife.